Pumpkins and Giggles

Friday, October 26, 2012

Maddie is 11 ½ weeks old now and she has been so much fun to play with this week.  She’s definitely had her crabby moments and still screams a lot in the evening, but Phil and I both agreed that it is much less than it has been in previous weeks.  During the day, Maddie is awake a lot more than she used to be, too.  We like to rock in the glider and read books together and she plays on the floor in her jungle gym a lot.  She loves swatting at all of her little toys and looking at all of the different colors and shapes.  The funniest thing, though, is that, despite all of the fun toys we try to introduce to Mads, her favorite thing in the entire house is the vent above her changing table.  She lays there and giggles and laughs every time we lay her down there.  It is really funny to watch. 

The vent.

Happy, giggling Maddie.

We had a nice weekend last week.  The three of us went to visit Aunt Heather and Uncle Rich at their new house that they just finished building.  It is BEAUTIFUL! I am so happy for them. Maddie loved meeting her Aunt and Uncle and looked especially comfortable lying in Heather’s arms.  We also made a trip to the pumpkin patch and picked out a pumpkin for each of us; Phil and I carved our “spooky family” later that day.

Maddie and I also took a trip to visit my mom at her office this week.  Everyone loved her huddled around to watch her just sit there in the car seat. I joked that no one cares about meeting/seeing me anymore – it’s all about Maddie.  ;-)  Hey, if I was that cute, I am sure I would get all the attention, too.  Haha.  We’ll let her have this one.   

Maddie loves bath time! I think I might have written about her bedtime routine already, so I will spare the details here, but Mads gets into the water and kicks her feet around and gazes into my eyes as if she is experiencing pure bliss.  It’s a nice moment for both of us, I think.  Plus, she smells fantastic after she is done! Oh…but getting out of the bath is no good.  She hates getting out of the water.  Poor baby is probably cold or, as Phil said, is remembering the experience of being born.  And that was not fun for either of us.  Hahaha!

Looking forward to this weekend! We are going to drive out to the Niles Harvest campus to go to church with Laura and Brent.  It should be fun! 

Leaving Maddie for the first time, but exploring the world with her more, too!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

This week has been really full! On Saturday, Phil and I embarked on our first journey outside of the house without Maddie.  We went to a wedding and left Maddie in the capable hands of Phil’s dad.  Boy, was it hard to leave the house! I was a basket case. I kept repeating myself, concerned that I had forgotten to tell Phil’s dad something about how to heat up bottles or where the diapers are stored. But, finally, I took that step out the door and Phil and I drove to the wedding.  I couldn’t stop thinking about Mads for the entire car ride I kept talking about her and then, upon thinking about her sweet little face snoozing away in her crib when we left, burst into tears saying, “I didn’t get to say goodbye.” 

The night was a lot of fun. Phil’s dad kept sending us pictures of little Maddie. My understanding is that she was a handful and cried for a significant portion of the night.  We got home at around 10-ish and I wrapped her in my arms and didn’t want to let go.  It was definitely an experience.  Now  I never want to leave her again!

Sunday, we went back to church for the first time since having Maddie.  It was wonderful being able to worship with the community of believers and the new worship center looks great, too! We enjoyed a peaceful time until the last 5 minutes when Maddie started to get upset (she had a wet diaper). So, all in all, she did great! I am looking forward to next Sunday!

Phil stayed home from work on Monday and we got a lot of stuff done that we had been putting off for a while (ex: oil change). It was so nice to have the extra day as a family.  We had a lot of fun playing together. 

Finally, on Tuesday, I went back to my old office and visited my work friends.  It was bittersweet seeing everyone.  I had such a great time catching up and everyone really loved meeting Maddie, but it made me sad to be back there and have a reminder, again, of what I am leaving behind.  It is also hard for me to think that in only a short few months, the office will be gone and closed and I won’t be quite as easy for me to see everyone whenever I want.  I’ll need to make more of an effort to keep in touch. 

It’s been getting colder outside, which means that Maddie and I have been skipping out daily walks.  I miss them already! It is supposed to be in the mid-60’s today, though, so I think I will bundle her up for possibly the last walk of the year.  Hopefully we’ll get a couple more nice days, but I’m not holding my breath. 

Maddie and I hanging out at my old office. 

This weekend, we will be taking some professional pictures with Maddie.  I am hoping we can go outside, but it’s looking like it might rain.  :( We’ll see what happens.  I hope she is in one of her good moods that day, too. 

Weight-loss-wise: I am down another pound! Only a couple more to go. I am so thrilled and really enjoying having my time to workout in the mornings when Maddie is napping away.  Maybe next year I will attempt a half marathon again.  

A special anniversary for us and vaccines for the little one

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Today is Phil and my half-life anniversary! We started dating 14 years ago today, meaning that we have been together for half of our lives.  Wow! It’s so crazy! We don’t have anything really planned to celebrate, but just being together tonight is enough for me.  :) Still so in love…. Ah….

I also took Maddie to the doctor today for her 2 month check-up.  I was really worried about her weight gain, but it turned out to be fine.  She is now 9 lbs 4 oz, so she gained another pound in the past month.  The doctor seemed satisfied with it and didn’t seem concerned at all, but I wish she had gained more.  She’s only in the 8.5 percentile for weight!

She had her vaccines today, too, which means I am free! I just wish it was a nicer day for the new freedom.  It is rainy and gloomy and Maddie is worn out from the events of the day.  It was so sad to watch her cry after getting the shots.  She really calmed down when I held her and snuggled her, though, so that made me feel good.  I am happy that she feels safe and secure in my arms.  She fell asleep right away when I got her in the car and has been sleeping for 2 hours since I got home.  Unfortunately, although I am EXHAUSTED, I cannot seem to nap.  I tried laying on the couch downstairs and then moved up to the bed, but my mind just keeps wandering and I can’t seem to rest.  So, here I am writing the blog.  :) Maddie should wake up soon and then we are going to go over to the neighbors’ house to spend time with their pets.  They are out of town this week and I am taking care of the animals, so I want to make sure to get over there and give them some loving, too. 

Ugh. I don’t know what’s going on with me today. I just feel achy all over. My back is bothering me and I have a mild headache.  It’s probably just the weather change. I really wish I could get some rest.  Maybe Maddie will cooperate and go to sleep early for us tonight? Ha! Fat chance!  

Vaccines for Maddie; Freedom for Mommy

Monday, October 1, 12

I cannot believe it has been almost 8 weeks since Maddie was born! I take her to get her first set of vaccines on Wednesday and I really am dreading it. The poor little girl is going to be poked with a needle! It will probably be harder for me to watch than for her to experience. I just never want to see my little one in pain.  Ah! It is going to be so hard!

I have to admit that I am looking forward to the freedom that the shots will allow.  The doctor recommended that we didn’t take Maddie into very public places (although we did cave and brought her to the store once or twice) if we could help it until she got her first set of vaccines.  That means that, come Thursday, I will be able to take her to the library, the store, breastfeeding support group at the hospital (I’m still deciding if I want to do this) and most importantly: church! Phil and I are really looking forward to getting back to Harvest and seeing the new worship center that they built. We have really missed the communal worship and the great teaching of our pastor.  I actually had originally scheduled Maddie’s appointment for next Monday and, upon realizing this would keep us out of church for another whole week, called and rescheduled the appointment to this Wed. 

I am really enjoying the nice cool weather! Coming off of the hottest summer of the century, the chill in the air is very welcome.  Mads and I have still be taking our daily walks and we even showed Phil our route yesterday when he was home from work.  It was so nice to be able to take a walk as a family.  We also spent a lot of time playing with Maddie in her gym on the floor.  Phil got to hear all of her new coos and see her beautiful smiles.  She is really starting to recognize us more and make eye contact.  She loves to smile up at her daddy while she is laying on the changing table (why is this her favorite spot?).

Mommy and Maddie (in her fleece vest) ready for a walk in the brisk autumn air

Little pot of scarecrows.  Just a sample of our fall decorations.
 I am hoping to get to the craft store soon to buy some more things to put out in front of the house. 

There’s not much more that is really going on.  I am just loving watching Madelynn grow and become her own little person.